Professor Ajit Lalvani has been reappointed by the Secretary of State as a trustee of the Science Museum Group in the UK. The infectious disease expert is renowned for his work on respiratory illnesses and has secured £40 million in research funding. As governor, Lalvani promotes public engagement with science. He also works to address health disparities by focusing on social determinants of health. Lalvani chairs the boards of The Bromley by Bow Centre and The India Alliance medical research organization.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) alumni in Europe have officially launched an alumni foundation called PanIIT Europe Alumni based in the Netherlands. Their inaugural event was held on October 7th in Delft, Netherlands, inaugurated by the Indian Ambassador Her Excellency Mrs Reenat Sandhu. The alumni group aims to foster connections and support their alma maters. Led by alumni across Europe, PanIIT Europe will focus on branding, business innovation, and personal growth. With an estimated 10,000 IIT families in Europe, it provides a platform to network, collaborate, and contribute. PanIIT Europe represents a major organizing effort to engage the significant IIT alumni community in Europe. Interested professionals can engage via their website: https://iit-europe.org/.

Canadian universities are reassuring Indian students amid the diplomatic crisis between the countries. The dispute began when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested India's involvement in a Khalistani terrorist's murder. Over 100,000 Indian students planned to study in Canada, making up 40% of study permit holders, contributing over C$20 billion to the Canadian economy annually. Universities offer reassurance, with concerns about student safety and visa uncertainty. Consultancies like IDP Education are calming nerves via video messages. The crisis affects families in Punjab, a significant source of Indian students in Canada, leading to worries about their future prospects.

London's housing crisis impacts international and UK-based students. High costs force students like Nazmush Shahadat from Bangaldesh and Rashavh Kaushik from India to share crowded, expensive accommodations, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. Rashavh Kaushik from India will be studying law this year and has found a home with friends, but he's sharing a bedroom with another student. For that arrangement, they've had to pay £16,000 upfront and have had to get a guarantor to secure a place. "It's costly for us," he said. The National Union of Students (NUS) calls for rent controls, highlighting students' financial strain. Film student Giulia Tortoricei from Italy faced stress finding housing in London, emphasizing its exorbitant prices. Savills analysis reveals a scarcity of purpose-built student housing in London, exacerbating the issue. Student charity Unipol advocates for affordable options to prevent financial struggles and dreams falling apart. The Department for Education (DfE) encourages accommodation providers to address student needs, while Universities UK urges students to seek university support.

Representatives of Canadian universities have advised Indian students interested in pursuing higher education in Canada to consider deferring admission to the fall 2024 term, citing apprehensions of visa processing delays due to political tensions between Canada and India. At an education fair in Hyderabad, they raised concerns that with just three months before the spring 2023 session, visa delays could disrupt academic plans. Many universities are assessing potentially pushing back admission offers over uncertainty in securing Canadian study permits for Indian applicants. They are urging students not to rush travel plans and be prepared for disrupted sessions amid the ongoing diplomatic row.

The National Medical Commission of India has been granted a 10-year World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) recognition status, enabling Indian medical graduates to pursue training and practice in countries like the US, Canada, Australia requiring it. This makes India's 706 medical colleges WFME-accredited, with new ones automatically accredited too. WFME recognition will boost India's global medical education standards, increase international opportunities for Indian doctors, and promote collaboration. Starting 2024, WFME accreditation will be mandatory for international graduates to be licensed in the US. The recognition enhances prospects for Indian doctors globally while elevating medical education standards at home.

The UK is set to increase the fee for study visas applied from outside the country by 127 pounds to 490 pounds starting October 4th. This will impact many of the over 120,000 Indian students in the UK, one of the largest international groups. The Home Office said the hike aims to equalize fees for in-country and out-of-country applications. Other visa categories like visit and indefinite leave to remain will also see fee increases. The government stated the changes will pay for public services and allow for civil servant pay rises. Indian students make up a major portion of international enrollments in the UK, so the fee jump may influence application decisions.

Two Indian-origin researchers are among the 36 recipients of Canada Research Chairs at the University of Toronto, supported by the government's Canada Research Chairs program (CRCP). Professor Anil Kishen from the dentistry faculty received Tier 1 funding for his research in oral health nanomedicine, focusing on bioactive nanoparticles and wound healing mechanisms. Rahul Gopalakrishnan, an assistant professor in computer science and laboratory medicine, aims to develop machine learning algorithms for a learning healthcare system, enhancing clinical care and understanding human and disease biology. These awards, amounting to over $300 million annually, bolster Canada's research and development excellence. [photos: University of Toronto and @yorkhillendo]

Four Indian-origin students from the University of Houston: Aparajita Datta, Chirag Goel, Meghana Idamakanti, and Swapnil Sharma, are among the eight recipients of the inaugural 2023 Chevron Graduate Energy Fellowship. This fellowship, funded by Chevron, supports graduate students' energy-related research efforts through a year-long USD 12,000 grant. The program includes faculty mentoring and engagement with Chevron experts. The awardees, part of the UH-Chevron Energy Graduate Fellows, focus on innovative and scalable energy-related research, contributing to the energy industry's transformation. Their work spans topics like climate policies' impact, nuclear fusion reactions, renewable energy, and social impact initiatives like CovRelief for tracking hospital beds.

The Australian government is closing a visa loophole that allowed international students to enroll in cheaper vocational courses right after arriving, rather than completing initial university studies. Data showed a sharp uptick in this "concurrent study" use, prompting concerns about predatory providers exploiting students. Education Minister Jason Clare said the change will stop improper switching and maintain the integrity of Australia's education industry. The government will also increase the savings international students need for a visa by 17%, citing rising living costs. The new restrictions may prove hard for Indian middle-class students due to the increased financial requirements.